Beijing Olympics (Page 2)

Mikey gets to join another list of sorta famous people with Fu Manchus

Notable persons who have worn Fu Manchu moustaches

• Anton La Vey - Founder of the Church of Satan.
• Al Leong — Actor who appeared in several 80's action movies.
• Bryan McCabe - Toronto Maple Leaf Defenseman.
• Joe Namath - National Football League quarterback.
• Scott Player - NFL punter.
• Al Hrabosky — Major Leage Baseball closer.
• Goose Gossage - MLB closer.
• Sal Fasano - MLB catcher.
• Pat Hill - Fresno State University Head Footbal Coach.
• Luis Tiant - Former MLB Pitcher.
• Hulk Hogan - Professional Wrestler
• Lincoln Campbell - Best Looking With Fu Manchu

Russian Race Walkers get the big boot for EPO.

Updated: August 5, 2008, 7:07 AM ET

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<--- Super Psyched for the Olympics to Start: 3 Days!!!

I'll watch any/all of it that I can! 

I can't say that I ever found Michael Phelps attractive, well, his midsection is VERY attractive, but that Fu-Man-Chu....WTH???  He has GOT to shave that off!!

Can't wait to start watching!!

BEIJING —  A group of American cyclists has apologized to Beijing Olympic organizers after arriving in China's capital wearing face masks.

Michael Friedman, Sarah Hammer, Bobby Lea and Jennie Reed released a statement Wednesday, a day after they caused a stir by showing up in the protective gear.

"The wearing of protective masks upon our arrival into Beijing was strictly a precautionary measure we as athletes chose to take, and was in no way meant to serve as an environmental or political statement," the athletes said. "We deeply regret the nature of our choices. Our decision was not intended to insult BOCOG or countless others who have put forth a tremendous amount of effort to improve the air quality in Beijing."

The host city's air remains a concern with the start of the games approaching. Beijing has put into effect long-planned pollution-control measures, such as taking cars off the streets, and American officials are cautiously optimistic.

 cough"   Sorry.

Agreed - I don't really like his face so much, but DANG, the rest of him is fiiiiiiine...

And I have cable and DVR now, just in time!

Nice story, what a great honor.

DALIAN, China -- Eight years ago, Lopez Lomong didn't even have a country. Now he'll be carrying the flag for his adopted nation, leading the U.S. Olympic team at opening ceremonies Friday night.

Lomong, one of the Lost Boys of Sudan, won a vote of team captains Wednesday to earn the honor of leading America's contingent into the 90,000-seat Bird's Nest Stadium.

The 1,500-meter track runner will be the flagbearer only 13 months after becoming a U.S. citizen.

"It's more than a dream," Lomong said in an interview with The Associated Press moments after he got the news. "I keep saying, I'm not sure if this is true or not true. I'm making the team and now I'm the first guy coming to the stadium and the whole world will be watching me carry the flag. There are no words to describe it."

He was born in Sudan, separated from his parents at the point of a gun at age 6, and with the help of friends, he escaped confinement and made it to a refugee camp in Kenya. In 2001, he was brought to America as part of a program to relocate lost children from war-torn Sudan.

Earlier this week, Lomong, 23, said he was mounting a campaign to be nominated by the track and field team for the flagbearer's position. He said the honor would be memorable, but he also was thrilled to be part of the democratic process that might get him there.

"In America, everyone has a chance to do all these things," Lomong said. "You follow the rules, people will choose, and if I'm blessed to get that opportunity, I'll get it."

In 2004, Dawn Staley did the flagbearer's honors. In 2000, they went to kayaker Cliff Meidl, who survived a 30,000-volt jolt of electricity in a construction accident and became an Olympian.

Lomong's story is every bit as inspiring.

[+] Enlarge

AP Photo/Andy Wong

Lopez Lomong came to America in 2001 as one of the Lost Boys of Sudan. Seven years later, he'll carry the Stars and Stripes into the Olympics opening ceremony.

He knew nothing of the Olympics in 2000, when his friends at the refugee camp in Kenya talked him into running five miles and paying five shillings to watch Michael Johnson on a black-and-white TV set with a fuzzy screen.

At that point, Lomong knew he wanted to be an Olympic runner. He earned his spot at the Olympic trials on July 6, exactly one year after he gained his U.S. citizenship.

All three Americans in the 1,500 are naturalized citizens -- Lomong, Bernard Lagat (Kenya) and Leo Manzano (Mexico).

"I feel great," Lomong said Wednesday night. "I feel happy, honored. I'm feeling so blessed to get an opportunity to present the United States of America, to present the United States flag in front of my team."

Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press

NBAers  get the honor also.

NBA players are having a big impact on the 2008 Olympics. At least four will be the flag-bearers for their respective countries. Here's a list as of Thursday:

And the games have already started with soccer matches.